Cheltenham Festival 2026 - the betting debrief

Shown below the recorded loss to level stakes (1 point win, 0.5 points each-way) of the blog's highlighted selections, returns calculated to the price taken when the wager was placed.

Outlay: 9 points

Return: 8.5 points

Profit / Loss: -0.5 points

Loss as a percentage of outlay: 5.55%

Jingko Blue (won, 10/1) and Bass Hunter (third, 10/1) provided some transient relief on Wednesday but the other seven selections - El Cairos, Golden Ace, Holokea, Western Fold, Impose Toi, Herakles Westwood and The Jukebox Man - were all soundly beaten. After the Gold Cup trainer Ben Pauling indicated The Jukebox Man had made a respiratory noise - as, indeed, I did myself.

Gaelic Warrior was simply magnificent in the Gold Cup while Lossiemouth was similarly imperious in Tuesday's Champion Hurdle, landing a famous double for owner Mrs S. Ricci.

Willie Mullins was top trainer at the meeting for the eighth consecutive year (eight winners) and Paul Townend the top jockey for the fifth consecutive year (five winners). Ireland won the Prestbury Cup 15-13.

Once again shambolic starts plagued the meeting and, on the Thursday, both Willie Mullins and J P McManus indicated they were unhappy with the amount of watering that had taken place as favourite Fact To File was withdrawn from the Ryanair Chase.

To my untrained eye, it looked like a Festival for layers rather than punters but, to finish on a more positive note, the overall attendance over the four days of 226,223 represents a 3.7% increase on last year's figure of 218,093.

Need anything from Tesco, PG? Of course I do - I've a list as long as your arm...

Cheltenham Festival 2026 - Friday

The pre-race talk of young pretenders in the Stayers' Hurdle proved wide of the mark with two 11-year-olds, Home By The Lee and Bob Olinger, finishing first and third respectively.

Also noted - since Cath Williams took over the training licence from husband Evan who has been found guilty of assaulting a dog walker, she has had, to date, just the two runners, both at Cheltenham. Ask Brewster won the Kim Muir earlier today at 22/1 while Libberty Hunter finished second in the Champion Chase yesterday at odds of 50/1.  

At the time of writing the going is described as good, good to soft in places, with rain forecast overnight and light showers during the afternoon tomorrow.

 

4.00 Cheltenham Gold Cup

Last week Galopin Des Champs, Gold Cup winner in 2023 and 2024, and second behind Inothewayurthinkin in last year's renewal, was declared a non-runner for this year's race after suffering a setback. Stablemate Gaelic Warrior was immediately promoted to the head of the market but presently The Jukebox Man holds that spot priced at 100/30, with Gaelic Warrior 7/2, Haiti Couleurs 11/2 and Jango Baie on the drift at 6/1.

In this year's King George at Kempton - a race for the ages that rescued this Christmas - The Jukebox Man, owned by Harry Redknapp, famously pipped Banbridge a nose, with Gaelic Warrior a further nose away in third and Jango Baie half a length adrift in fourth. 

An extended three and a quarter miles around the New Course at Cheltenham is a very different proposition to three miles at Kempton. 

Maddy Playle writes in the RP Weekender:

"If I had a list of horses to oppose at this year's festival Gaelic Warrior would be towards the top.

"I cannot fathom why he is favourite for the Gold Cup as, despite being an Arkle winner, he does not seem particularly well suited to Cheltenham. He was beaten in the Fred Winter off a mark of 129 before being bested by Impaire Et Passe in the following year's Ballymore Novices' Hurdle.

"...in my view [he] seems better suited to intermediate distances due to his tendency to race enthusiastically..."     

The Jukebox Man is unbeaten over fences and looked a shade unlucky when collared by Stellar Story in the shadow of the post in the 2024 Albert Bartlett.

Jango Baie rallied to win last year's Arkle and then won the 1965 Chase at Ascot in November in a quick time.  

Haiti Couleurs disappointed on his first try in Graded company, pulled up in the Betfair Chase at Haydock won by Grey Dawning. Just after Christmas he won the Welsh National carrying 11-13 and then the Grade 2 Denman Chase at Newbury five weeks ago.

In a recent Straight from the Stable article [RP Weekender 25.02-01.03.26] handler Rebecca Curtis said:

"He didn't particularly like the heavy ground in the Denman at Newbury but won by seven lengths and it will have sharpened him up for the Gold Cup. That's the one we all want to win."

In receipt of six pounds Spillane's Tower beat L'Homme Presse threequarters of a length and Grey Dawning five lengths in the Cotswold Chase on Trials Day. 

Both L'Homme Presse and Envoi Allen are at the veteran stage; the last horse older than nine to come home in front was ten-year-old Cool Dawn in 1998.

Inothewayurthinkin has run poorly on his three starts this season following last year's exploits. 

At one point trainer Gavin Cromwell indicated it was doubtful whether his charge would defend his crown but the gelding was backed at around 18/1 last week and sports first-time cheekpieces. The yard is emerging from a torrid season; several have run well in recent days and Final Orders won the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase on Wednesday.

Firefox stayed on from the rear to claim fourth behind Fact to File in the Irish Gold Cup last month but all his previous form has been gained over shorter distances.

Gold Tweet caused a shock when winning the 2023 Cleeve Hurdle; that will seem as nothing if he were to win the 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup. 

A very open renewal. Only two of the top five in the market have form over the trip: Haiti Couleurs and Inothewayurthinkin; of the pair I prefer the former.

Maddy Playle wrote, 'Gaelic might win but not with my cash,' and I'm in the same camp. Jango Baie's drift in the market this evening is disconcerting so The Jukebox Man gets the vote. 

The Jukebox Man is the win selection, 3/1 generally at the time of writing.

Pushed for time but a very quick footnote on Piper Park in the Mares' Chase (2.40). She's is on the 'dark horse' list after a creditable second behind Jasmin Bliss in a Listed Mares' Chase at Huntingdon five weeks ago; two out she looked the likely winner.

Quoting the form analysis:

"Sporting a first-time tongue-tie, she'd only had two previous starts under rules but evidently has bundles of ability and could even step forward for this first start in 405 days. An intriguing prospect."

By my reckoning she'll need to step forward in excess of 20lbs to have even a remote chance here but at 125/1 - I missed 150/1 - I thought she was worth some of my hard-earned shrapnel.

Cheltenham Festival 2026 - Thursday

In the introduction to last year's Thursday Festival post I wrote:

"Two days in, and there have been some unsatisfactory starts to races..."

Twelve months later and we don't appear to be much further forward. This evening the Racing Post reports an allegation of racial abuse by Nico De Boinville has been lodged with the stewards following chaotic scenes before the start of the Turners earlier today.

The going on the New Course is currently described as good, good to soft in places.

A couple of suggestions for Thursday...

3.20 Stayers' Hurdle 

Teahupoo finished third behind Sire Du Berlais and Dashel Drasher in the 2023 renewal of this race, beat Flooring Porter in 2024, and finished second behind Bob Olinger last year.

Last time out Gordon Elliott's charge won the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown with Bob Olinger second, Ballyburn third, and Home By The Lee fourth.  

After winning the Relkeel aboard Kabral Du Mathan on New Year's Day jockey Harry Skelton said: 

"He doesn't race like a three miler."

Dan Skelton said:

"In my heart I think I trust him enough to relax enough and get the three mile trip, but the question is can he stay three miles hard as a six-year-old when you're against those battle-hardened horses who have been doing it for eight to ten runs over many years." 

His first try at the trip was scheduled to be in the Rendlesham at Haydock in mid February, for which he was priced up 4/7 favourite, but he was pulled out on account of the ground.

Former trainer Paul Nicholls posted this comment on his blog [13.02.26]:

"Kabral Du Mathan as some will know I bought and trained previously and to me, he was a speed horse. He only just got beat in a Scottish Champion Hurdle and he was obviously effective over 2m 4f last time..." 

Writing in this week's RP Weekender Tom Segal names Kabral Du Mathan as the horse he's most looking forward to seeing at the Festival and continues:

"...his win in the Relkeel Hurdle at the track [beat Jingko Blue, winner of the BetMGM Cup today, five and a half lengths] ..was one of the most impressive performances of the season.

"What I liked most was the way he snapped straight back on the bridle after an early mistake and then how he sprinted away from some decent rivals up the hill.

"Over the years one punting maxim that has always worked for me is to concentrate on finding the horse who can run the fastest whatever the trip. It's always better to back fast horses going up in distance than slow ones who are proven over the trip..."   

Ballyburn didn't appear to stay when 14 lengths behind Teahupoo in the Christmas Hurdle; connections fit a hood for the first time here and he has been well supported in the market this evening.  

Honesty Policy, the other six-year-old in the field, finished third behind Impose Toi in the Long Walk at Ascot just before Christmas (Doddiethegreat fifth, Gwennie May Boy pulled up).

Ma Shantou looked good when beating Impose Toi seven lengths in the Cleeve on Trials Day (Doddiethegreat third); connections won this with Paisley Park in 2019. Writing in the RP Weekender trainer Emma Lavelle says:

"While he's probably susceptible to something with an extra gear, that's less of a worry in this race than in most others as it's a thorough test and you need a genuine ability to stay, which he has." 

Impose Toi was conceding six pounds in the Cleeve; Nicky Henderson has said:

"Impose Toi has done nothing wrong all season and what he really wants is good ground." 

Hewick, one of three 11-year-olds in the field, will appreciate good ground and can give a good account on his first run after wind surgery.

Impose Toi looked good beating Strong Leader in the Long Walk and is better than we saw in the Cleeve; with good ground to suit, he gets the vote.

Impose Toi is the each-way suggestion, at the time of writing 10/1 with bet365 who pay four places.  

The Ryanair (4.00) will be one to watch rather than bet on, while the ground has gone against Kikijo, my fancy for the Pertemps Final (4.40). 

5.20 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup

Favourite Jeriko Du Reponet hasn't always jumped with fluency over the fences; jockey Mr Derek O'Connor is an amateur in name only. 

Herakles Westwood is my pick for this. 

Last time out he beat Katate Dori and New Order over three miles one and a half furlongs on the New Course; that form reads well. 

He has run well at Cheltenham previously, although he failed to land a blow behind Haiti Couleurs over the extended trip in last year's National Hunt Challenge Cup. In a Straight from the Stable article [RP Weekender 07-11.01.26] handler Warren Greatrex said:

"All three of his starts this season have been at Cheltenham and it's a track that suits him. He needed his first run but still finished second and then ran a good fourth to Blaze The Way in a premier handicap chase. He then got his head back in front on New Year's Day when he stayed on well all the way to the line. He did it nicely and jumped well. Looking ahead he could go for one of the festival handicaps such as the Ultima or Kim Muir. And looking even further ahead, the Welsh Grand National would be a target. He handles just about any ground."  

Herakles Westwood is the each-way suggestion, 9/1 generally, with a number of layers paying five places.

Cheltenham Festival 2026 - Wednesday

A few notes on tomorrow's card quickly bashed out after watching Lossiemouth win the Champion Hurdle by six and a half lengths...

Light rain is forecast overnight with sunny intervals tomorrow.

2.00 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase

A large field this year; the top three in the market are all trained in Ireland but have yet to win at the trip under rules, although Romeo Coolio and Final Demand have both won an Irish point over three miles.

Favourite Romeo Coolio is unbeaten in his four starts over fences.

On seasonal debut he beat Koktail Divin 14 lengths over two and a half miles at Down Royal; on Boxing Day he beat Irish Panther over two miles one furlong at Leopardstown - Irish Panther goes in the Champion Chase at 4.00;.and at the Dublin Racing Festival he beat Kargese - winner of the Arkle earlier this afternoon -  a neck. Connections fit a first-time hood, presumably to help him settle over the longer trip.

Final Demand won his first two starts over fences but finished behind Kaid d'Authie and Western Fold over two miles five and a half furlongs at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Koktail Divin finished behind Oscars Brother at Punchesstown in November before making all to win 21 lengths over two miles five and a half at Leopardstown. The suspicion is he's better over the shorter trip but connections have opted to run here rather than in the Jack Richards on Thursday.

Mare The Big Westerner finished second behind Jasmin De Vaux in last year's Albert Bartlett (Wendigo fifth) and may prefer more cut underfoot but Western Fold should appreciate drying ground and back in July won the Galway Plate.  

Last night I watched a replay of the Kauto Star at Kempton on Boxing Day. 

Kitzbuhel went some clip that day on good ground, throwing in some extravagant jumps to boot. The jumping wasn't so assured next time at Sandown where once or twice he shifted out right and then unshipped Paul Townend at the sixth; Townend prefers Final Demand.

Thomas Mor and Wendigo finished second and third respectively in the Kauto Star; this track is likely to suit Wendigo better than Kempton. After winning at Ayr in January, Wendigo's trainer Jamie Snowden said:

"It was a bit of a trek up to Ayr, but it was the only three mile novice chase going left-handed between now and Cheltenham. We found at Kempton that he did jump slightly left, it's all about chase experience. 

"The Brown Advisory is is the obvious route. He's the best of the British novice chasers over three miles..." 

Moot point perhaps, given he finished behind Thomas Mor who recorded a personal best at Kempton. Philip Hobbs and Johnson White's charge held an entry for the Reynoldstown at Ascot in February but missed that appointment due to an abscess. 

The handicapper has the pair on 147; Wendigo has been well touted and is an 8/1 shot while nine-year-old Thomas Mor is 66/1 with bet365.

Since 2000 only three horses older than seven have won the Brown Advisory and they were all eight-year-olds: Rule Supreme (2004); Might Bite (2017 - although he did his best to gift the race to nine-year-old Whisper); and Champ (2020). The last nine-year-old to win was Miinnehoma in 1992, trained by Martin Pipe, ridden by Peter Scudamore, and owned by comedian Freddie Starr; the horse went on to win the 1994 Grand National.

The Irish appear to hold a strong hand; I can see Thomas Mor - fifth behind Stay Away Fay in the 2023 Albert Bartlett before a protracted spell off the track- outrunning odds of 66/1.

Western Fold is the each-way suggestion, currently 14/1 generally but 16/1 with bet365 who pay four places.   

2.40 BetMGM Cup

24 declared and highly competitive as usual. 

Connections of Jinko Blue have reverted to hurdles this season after the gelding unseated Nico De Boinville in last year's Reynoldstown. 

His hurdling has been far from foot perfect in two runs so far but his second behind Kabral Du Mathan in the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle on the New Course on New Year's Day reads well. He'll appreciate better ground and his current hurdle mark is seven pounds lower than his last chase rating. 

Jinko Blue is the each-way suggestion, 10/1 at the time of writing with Betfred, Unibet and bet365 among the layers paying six places.

5.20 Weatherbys Champion Bumper

Flat jockey Colin Keane rides The Mourne Rambler.

Sean Bowen rides Broadway Ted who beat stablemates With Nolimit and Charismatic Kid along with It's Only A Game at Leopardstown five weeks ago.

It's a long, long time since I've had a bet in the bumper but Bass Hunter gets the nod on the back of these comments made by trainer Chris Gordon after the gelding had beaten Tally Ho Back and Vango Can Go at Ascot just before Christmas.

"It's brilliant. I ride Bass Hunter every day, and in my 18 years of training he's the best I've sat on at home, and I think he showed that to an extent. Cheltenham and Aintree will be considered, but for him to win at those sorts of tracks, he'll need to settle down."

Bass Hunter is the each-way suggestion, at the time of writing 10/1 with Ladbrokes and William Hill who are paying four places.  

Cheltenham Festival 2026 - Tuesday

Need anything from Tesco? It'll have to wait until the weekend now.

Racing may be in crisis - Brant Dunshea has recently been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the BHA following the resignation of Lord Allen - but punters have four days of the Festival to look forward to - and six favourites obliged at Sandown on Saturday...

Last year Tutti Quanti was the only British trained runner to contest the Supreme, finishing sixth at 125/1 behind 4/6 favourite Kopek Des Bordes. At the time of writing British trained novices head the markets for the Supreme (Old Park Star) and the Turners (No Drama This End).

The final hurdle on both courses has been moved closer to the home turn after the discovery of a hole in the ground on Trials Day, the cause later found to be a collapsed drain. The run-in will now be a furlong or so in distance; I recall a number of hurdle races with a long run-in at Haydock where the apparent result changed within the shadow of the post.

The going on the Old Course is currently described as good to soft, good in places, with selective watering carried out earlier today.

1.20 Supreme Novices' Hurdle 

An intriguing renewal with the Nicky Henderson trained Old Park Star the only runner to have won at the track previously. 

Talk The Talk, Mighty Park and El Cairos spearhead a strong Irish challenge. 

With just one start over hurdles to his name Mighty Park could be anything. 

Both Talk The Talk and El Cairos are likely to be ridden for their turn of foot. 

El Cairos, bought out of the David Maxwell dispersal sale for £410,000, hasn't always appeared fluent at the hurdles but looks a bit of a speed merchant.

Back in November Mydaddypaddy was ante-post favourite for this race; his run in the Formby behind Idaho Sun is easily forgiven as four of the nine hurdles were omitted due to the low sun. 

A few in this like to go from the front including Sober Glory, described by Harry Cobden as the best novice he has ridden this season; on official ratings he has three pounds to find with Old Park Star. Finished behind Hurricane Pat at Sandown in December - Old Park Star beat that one 18 lengths at Haydock the following month. 

With the race likely to be run to suit, El Cairos is the each-way suggestion, currently 8/1 generally.

4.00 Champion Hurdle

Three mares take their chance in this year's renewal.

Favourite Lossiemouth won the Triumph in 2023 and the Mares' Hurdle over two and a half miles in 2024 and 2025; connections fit cheekpieces for the first time. 

Brighterdaysahead reversed previous Leopardstown form with Lossiemouth over two miles, beating her three and a quarter lengths in the Irish Champion Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival just over five weeks ago. To date she hasn't shown her very best form at this track. 

Golden Ace beat Brighterdaysahead in the 2024 Mares' Novices' Hurdle and had the same rival back in fourth in last year's Champion Hurdle; she was considered a somewhat fortunate winner that day after State Man, five lengths clear, came to grief at the last. 

The New Lion was one length to the good when he fell at Newcastle allowing Golden Ace to add the Fighting Fifth to her curriculum vitae. She scoped dirty when beaten in a two horse race at Wetherby in November and had no chance when second behind Sir Gino in the Christmas Hurdle. Trainer Jeremy Scott has said he thinks he has her in better order this season than last.

We haven't seen much of The New Lion since winning the Turners last year. After falling in the Fighting Fifth, he won the International on Trials Day - run on the New Course over two miles one furlong - when main market rival Sir Gino was pulled up quickly after three out having gone lame.   

Poniros won the Triumph (run on the New Course) last year at odds of 100/1. Only two five-year-olds have won since 2000: Katchit (2008) and Espoir D'Allen (2019).

Alexei raced off a mark of 127 when second behind Celtic Dino in the Welsh Champion Hurdle in October and five weeks later won the Greatwood over course and distance off 134. The handicapper now has him on 148; trainer Joe Tizzard has said he'll travel well into the race and then we'll find out how good he is.

Tutti Quanti was well beaten behind Celtic Dino in the Welsh Champion Hurdle on seasonal debut. He subsequently came out to win the Gerry Feilden and then the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury by 15 lengths on heavy ground off 138. Now rated 151, he has been supplemented for this.

Golden Ace is the each-way suggestion; she looks overpriced at 10/1 with William Hill at the time of writing. 

  

5.20 National Hunt Challenge Cup

I fancied Herakles Westwood for this race last year (finished seventh behind Haiti Couleurs); he held an entry this year too but it looks as though connections prefer the Kim Muir (5.20 Thursday).

Favourite Backmeorsackme ran well when second behind Three Card Brag over three miles one furlong here in October.

Wade Out is the only course winner in this field. At Worcester in October he beat Wendigo (declared for the Brown Advisory on Wednesday) and then beat One Big Bang over three miles one furlong here in a Listed race. Cheekpieces added for the first time but this looks a stiff task under top weight.

King Of Answers (dam: Queen Of Questions) finished second behind Wendigo in an Irish point back in 2023. Having finished behind Guard The Moon at Windsor, King Of Answers sported first-time cheekpieces at Kelso next time and evident improvement followed. He has gone up ten pounds for that effort; has the odd mistake in him.

Grande Geste certainly stays having won the Grand National Trial over an extended three and a half miles at Haydock three and a half weeks ago. Co-trainers' comment in the RP Weekender [28.01-01.02.26]: 'He's very straightforward to train - you could put your granny on him.'

Holokea was pulled up behind Grand Geste at Haydock but in December looked to have a race in the bag on the New Course over three miles one and a half furlongs before being collared by Zertakt.

I'm going to forgive Holokea that run last time; Shane Fenelon takes off five pounds.

Holokea is the each-way suggestion, as I write 40/1 with bet365, Paddy Power and Sky who pay five places. 

Cheltenham, Chelsea, Cinquenta

Preparations for this year's Cheltenham Festival have been thrown into total disarray by an unexpected telephone call and the EBF Final at Sandown.

Earlier this week I was offered the chance of a ticket for Wrexham's FA Cup fifth round home tie against Chelsea on Saturday - the club's highest profile fixture since they beat Arsenal in the same competition back in 1992. 

As a lifelong fan I jumped at the chance and immediately after the call rushed off to check prices: Wrexham 6/1 in places, 4/1 the draw. 

I was tempted too, but after watching highlights of Chelsea's win at Villa Park on Wednesday evening, I decided I was never all that keen on football betting anyway...

And then, bless my old boots, two caught my eye in the European Breeders' Fund Betfair "National Hunt" Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final, handily shortened in racing parlance to the EBF Final (1.50 Sandown).

The two in question are Tennessee Tango and Cinquenta.

18 months ago, after attending Ludlow's second October meeting, I bumped into a gentleman in a local hostelry who tried to sell me a share in a horse for £2,000. 'Unusual that for a Thursday,' I remember thinking to myself afterwards. The horse in question was Tennessee Tango. 

At the time the gelding was unraced under rules but held an entry in a Wincanton bumper the following Sunday. The gent concerned clearly held the horse in high regard - a possible entry in the Festival bumper was mentioned - but I don't regularly carry that amount of cash inside the inside lining of my faux tweed jacket and, anyway, I'd done my dough at the races, so I politely declined his kind offer.

Still, I had enough about me to monitor the market for that Wincanton bumper all the same. 

Now, as a general rule, Sunday markets can be quite static early doors, no doubt bookmakers still busy counting their winnings from the day before. At around ten o'clock the opening price of 12/1 about Tennessee Tango started to contract quite sharply. By roughly midday, as I recall, he was half the price so I decided to leave well alone. In the event, Tennessee Tango drifted back out to 12/1 at the off and beat Neil Mulholland's well-backed filly Pollyana's Dream two and a half lengths.

I've followed the fortunes of Tennessee Tango ever since that bumper, which, incidentally, was run on good ground. He has further bumper form behind Windbeneathmywings, and hurdle form behind Sinchi Roca (beat Wolf Walker at Wincanton in January), Sober Glory (14/1 for the Supreme on Tuesday), Gentleman Toboot (gave subsequent Dovecote winner Klub De Reve six pounds and a beating at Exeter in December) and Mossy Fen Road.

In complete contrast Cinquenta only came on the radar five weeks ago.

My hairdresser was due to go the Wetherby races at the end of January and, in what can only be described as a blatant breach of self discipline, she asked me to mark her card. 

I did the necessary and thought I'd managed to get away scot-free when the fixture was (un)fortunately abandoned but a timeous email the following morning indicated her party were en route to Market Rasen instead so updated selections were required - as quickly as possible.

Initially Gee Force Flyer was priced up favourite in the two and a half mile novice hurdle with Cinquenta his market rival but by the off the pair had flip-flopped; the market called it correctly too with Cinquenta coming home eight and a half lengths clear.

After the race handler Jamie Snowden said:

"It was a nice performance. Cinquenta stepped up for the step up in trip and a bit of softer ground. The penny is beginning to drop, but he's a big backward baby and he's learning all of the time. Today was a slightly easier race than the ones he's been competing in. We won the EBF Final last year with Laurens Bay [off 123] and I'd say he's in a similar mould, he's a future staying chaser."

Of the pair marginal preference is for Cinquenta who has won over the distance while Tennessee Tango tries the trip for the first time.

Of course, as always, the EBF Final is a highly competitive affair; 18 have been declared for this year's renewal with the going on the hurdles track currently described as soft, good to soft in places.

Favourite Scorpio Rising is unbeaten this term, last time finishing one and threequarters lengths ahead of Top Jimmy at Windsor (Top Jimmy contests the Imperial Cup at 2.27). Readers may recall the brouhaha that followed when Harry (Skelton) met Sean (Bowen) - not Sally - on the way back to the unsaddling enclosure.

Formerly with Willie Mullins, Unknown Entity is probably well-named but remains a maiden in five starts and looks short enough in the market.

Kaka's Cousin was bought for £160,000 after being pipped a short head in an Irish point 15 months ago. He finished 15 lengths behind Starzand at Wetherby in January but looked impressive next time beating even money favourite Kocktail Bleu (second behind Klub De Reve in the Dovecote) eight and a half lengths at Kelso. 

Four Springs jumped right on occasions when second behind Sinnatra at Warwick the last day. He should prefer Sandown and sports cheekpieces for the first time; Sinnatra is currently quoted a 12/1 chance for the County Hurdle at Cheltenham next week.

Laguna Beach finished behind Hurricane Pat - holds an entry in the Turners at Cheltenham - in November and wasn't foot perfect at his hurdles when second behind Whiskey Yankee at Ascot over an extended two miles five furlongs seven weeks ago; the slightly shorter trip here should help his cause.

I'd be prepared to forgive top weight Gentleman Toboot his last run at Leicester. David Pipe's charge proved he stays the trip when beating A Pai De Nom - subsequently third in the Lanzarote and currently holding entries for the Albert Bartlett and the Martin Pipe - at Newton Abbot at the end of October. Stable form is a concern.

Race To Base finished fifth in a Uttoxeter maiden at the beginning of October and, for what it's worth, I wasn't the only one to mark that particular race up as well above average: winner De Temps En Temps went on to claim a Cheltenham novice and looked to have benefitted from wind surgery when third in a competitive Ascot handicap next time; second Tiptoptim finished third in the Challow behind No Drama This End; third Loriko has form behind Give It To Me Oj and Kripticjim while fourth Marsiac went on to beat Big Ticket in an Aintree novice.

After winning his novice at Hereford - on decent ground - Race To Base's jockey Sam-Twiston-Davies said: 'He's very quick, one of the pacier ones at home...' The gelding has his first run for new connections here and wears a tongue-tie for the first time.

Draco Malfoy can turn on the magic in the jumping department and looks a stayer in the making; he was beaten by Get On George at Doncaster just after Christmas. 

Get On George is better than he showed when pulled up behind Thedeviluno in the River Don. In their Straight from the Stable article [RP Weekender 28.01-01.02.26] Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith say:

"He's a lovely horse who's definitely one to watch. He could be the one to go chasing and do something similar to what Grand Geste has done this season - and better. He's got everything - he's fast, he stays, he jumps and he's got a good attitude - and this is his first season in training. It was a very good race at Doncaster last Saturday [River Don] and it wasn't our day. He's going to be better over a fence."

On his penultimate start Rathkenny, owned by Robert Waley-Cohen, made all to beat West Hill Verde at Doncaster. That reads well now given that West Hill Verde finished third in the Premier Novices' Hurdle at Kelso last Saturday, despite nearly coming to grief four from home. In a Straight from the Stable article [RP Weekender 04-08.02.26] trainer Neil Mulholland says:

"He'd won his point-to-point when we bought him. He then won his bumper first time out for us at Uttoxeter. He ran at Fontwell the second time but pulled a front shoe off, so you can put a line through that run. He then went to Doncaster and ran a lovely race to win nicely [West Hill Verde second]. He's got a great attitude and jumps well. He'll be a nice chaser next season and would be my trainer's pick." 

The two Henrietta Knight trained runners have form with Cinquenta.

Conceding three pounds Precious Metal beat Cinquenta a neck over two miles at Lingfield but didn't appear to stay behind Bollin Thou over this course and distance next time while Roi Du Risk was struggling with a circuit to go behind Cinquenta at Market Rasen but then kept on to finish third.

Jury's In finished fourth behind Starzand at Ffos Las in the autumn (Gee Force Flyer third). It was an open and shut case at Fakenham three weeks ago when Stuart Edmunds' charge beat The Boss Bear 20 lengths at Fakenham; the penalty is an 11 pound hike in the weights.

As always a very competitive renewal - it's possible to make a case for a couple of these at a price. I'm going stick with Cinquenta who hurdled fluently for the most part last time and stayed on strongly to the line. 

Cinquenta is the each-way suggestion, generally 12/1 at the time of writing with some firms paying five places including bet365 and Unibet.

Footnote: Harry Redknapp is on record saying he's found himself dreaming about The Jukebox Man winning next week's Gold Cup. I haven't had any dreams about Wrexham beating Chelsea tomorrow, basically because I haven't been able to get much sleep. In time honoured fashion, I'll aim to post some selections for each of the four days at Cheltenham.

The 2026 Grimthorpe Handicap Chase at Doncaster

The 2026 Cheltenham Festival is nearly upon us. Last year I seem to recall the starters having more trouble starting than I used to have with a Vauxhall Viva bought in 1979. 

It's quite a long time since I've embraced this particular challenge but punters who travel to Cheltenham by train - thereby avoiding problems with a car that won't start -  and then opt to walk to the track - an undertaking that necessitates a lengthy stopover at The Rotunda to take on board ample liquid refreshment for the trials that lie ahead - usually turn right out of the station forecourt and then walk straight past Eldorado Road (leading to Eldorado Crescent). 

When I was younger, you know, I used to think how aptly named that road was...

Anyway, I couldn't get started on the Morebattle Hurdle (2.55 Kelso) so I've spent a bit of time on the Grimthorpe (2.30 Doncaster) instead. 

The going on the chase course is described as good to soft; heavy rain is forecast overnight and a number in this field wouldn't want to see conditions deteriorate any further.

Moroder won the 2023 running of this race off 131 carrying 10-2 and last year's renewal off 125 carrying 10-7 (Some Scope pulled up after a bad mistake). This year Moroder goes off a mark of 120 yet carries 10-11 - which only serves to highlight a drop in quality.

Earlier today top weight King's Threshold was at the head of the market but this evening Emma Lavelle's charge has relinquished top spot to Dartmoor Pirate. 

King's Threshold won the Mandarin at Newbury just after Christmas off 131 and has since missed a couple of potential engagements - the Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase at this track five weeks ago and then the Swinley Handicap Chase at Ascot a fortnight ago - on account of soft ground.

Writing in this week's RP Weekender the trainer says:

"...King's Threshold showed himself a progressive chaser when winning the Mandarin at Newbury in December and, although that was nearly two months ago, he remains in good form.

"He doesn't overdo himself at home, he never stops eating, so I don't think being ready to run for a while will have sent him over the top. And I've long thought there's a big race in him."

Dartmoor Pirate won the aforementioned Great Yorkshire, beating New Order three and threequarters lengths - initially he appeared outpaced up the home straight before staying on stoutly to win with something in hand. 

Anthony Honeyball's charge has two furlongs further to travel here; the gelding has won both chase starts with a tongue-tie fitted.

New Order reopposes five pounds better off. He was left in the lead when Joyeux Machin, five lengths clear, came to grief at the final open ditch and Charlie Longsdon's charge looked to tire coming to the final flight.

His previous third behind Herakles Westwood and Katate Dori over three miles one and a half furlongs at Cheltenham reads well.

Jasmin De Grugy, stablemate of Dartmoor Pirate, wasn't foot perfect behind Herakles Westwood that day.

Hampered by the fall of Excello on the first circuit, he was towards the rear when coming to grief on the second circuit. Prior to that he'd finished fourth behind Konfusion in the Rehearsal at Newcastle; connections fit cheekpieces for the first time. 

On his penultimate start just after Christmas Some Scope, sporting a first time visor, made all to win a three mile handicap chase at Doncaster (Moroder third, beaten 12 lengths). 

Next time the visor was left off in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase at Cheltenham where he raced in rear throughout, beaten over 70 lengths. 

After that race the vet reported the gelding had lost his left fore shoe and suffered a small overreach on his left fore leg. Four days later he underwent wind surgery.

Neil Mulholland saddles three; comments on each runner from the recent Straight from the Stable article [RP Weekender 04-08.02.26] are reproduced below.

Kelce

"He finished second at Aintree on Boxing Day behind Fortunate Man and then won at Musselburgh on Saturday [31.01.26]. He's had three wins now for us and is a good, solid horse. He's just creeping up a little bit in the ratings now, which might just allow us to get into a couple of those nicer 3m handicap chases off bottom weight. He's going the right way." 

Broomfields Cave

"He won last time out on Boxing Day at Wincanton. The third horse, Jupiter Allen, came out and won again last week [29.01.26], so the form is working out well. The ground would just be a little bit soft for him at present, but once we get a bit of proper good to soft ground again he'll be out. He's a nice staying chaser and there'll be plenty more to come from him."

Lord Accord

"We're just waiting for the ground really. He's a very solid horse and my top earner this season. He's run 37 times, winning nine and been second on six occasions. He's won more than £165,000 in prize money. He was second last time at Ascot in the Berkshire National and was in good order, giving a good account of himself. There's no reason why he can't continue to do so in the spring time when he gets his ground. He could go for the Kim Muir at the festival."

To my mind Destroytheevidence didn't see out this trip - admittedly on heavy ground - at Wincanton last month.

King Turgeon is back down to 133, his last winning mark. When last seen he finished sixth behind Blaze The Way at Cheltenham in December - nine lengths behind Herakles Westwood in fourth at level weights. 

Theformismighty bounced back to form at Newcastle last month and has only gone up three pounds.

Around this time last year, conceding 13 pounds, he was beaten a head by New Order in a novices' handicap chase at Wetherby; mighty form indeed. 

However, in between those two efforts, there have been a couple of real stinkers; he tries a trip beyond three miles for the first time.  

Jubilant's fifth behind Montregard at Ascot in November - beaten just over eight lengths - is worth a quick mention, given Montregard finished second to subsequent Reynoldstown winner The Jukebox Kid in January; to date James Owen's charge has form mostly in Class 4 handicap chases.

All of which leads back to our old friend Moroder - 12 years of age and still going strong. 

He was returned at 18/1 when he won in 2023 and 33/1 last year, both renewals run on good ground. If he gets into a jumping rhythm up front...

New Order's form stacks up well but at the prices I'm going to take a chance on Broomfields Cave who was highlighted by Neil Clark as the 'reporter's pick' in that referenced Straight from the Stable article; Bradley Harris claims three pounds.

Broomfields Cave is the each-way suggestion, at the time of writing 10/1 generally with the layers paying four places, but Ladbrokes and Coral stand out offering 11/1.   

Cheltenham Festival 2025 - the betting debrief

This year seven of the blog's eight highlighted selections came under starter's orders over the four days - Langer Dan was a non-runner, declared to be suffering from a respiratory infection on the morning of the Stayers' Hurdle.

Shown below the recorded loss to level stakes (1 point win, 0.5 points each-way with each-way returns calculated to one fifth the odds):  

Outlay over four days: 7 points

Return over four days: 1.9 points

Profit / Loss: -5.1 points

Loss as percentage of outlay: 72.86%

Brief notes on individual selections:

Malina Girl (bet struck:14/1 each-way; third in Ultima)

Good run behind Myretown and The Changing Man. Winner impressive.

Herakles Westwood (bet struck: 20/1 each-way; seventh in National Hunt Challenge Cup)

Towards rear; never threatened.

Potters Charm (bet struck: 14/1 each-way; fifth in Turners)

Outpaced by market principals off home bend.

Libberty Hunter (bet struck: 33/1 each-way; fell in Champion Chase)

Four lengths down and creeping into contention when falling three out.

Primoz (bet struck: 20/1 each-way; fourteenth in Grand Annual)

Lost any chance in chaotic start.

Protektorat (bet struck: 6/1 win; fourth in Ryanair) 

Outpaced from three out; winner Fact To File impressive.

Our Champ (bet struck: 50/1 each-way; sixth in County Hurdle)

Led; tapped for toe off home bend, stayed on up the hill. 

The Champion Hurdle set the tone for a dramatic week with the two former winners in the field, Constitution Hill and State Man, both falling, the latter at the last when five lengths clear. Golden Ace, trained by Jeremy Scott, picked up the pieces.

Inothewayurthinkin denied Galopin Des Champs a third victory in the Gold Cup while Fact To File put up an imperious display in the Ryanair.   

Marine Nationale, forever associated with Michael O'Sullivan, proved a fitting winner of the Champion Chase while Bob Olinger denied Teahupoo in the Stayers' Hurdle.

The final result of the Prestbury Cup: Great Britain 8 Ireland 20

Just one British trained runner contested the Supreme and there were no British entries in a final field of seven in the Brown Advisory. 

Once again Willie Mullins was the leading trainer at the Festival, equalling his previous record total of 10 winners. He fielded 11 of the 18 runners in the Triumph and won it with 100/1 shot Poniros who was racing over hurdles for the very first time. 

Shambolic starts and the drop in attendance figures are two topics we're likely to hear more about in the coming days.  

Cheltenham Festival 2025 - Friday

Earlier today Frank Keogh reported that the attendance on Wednesday was the lowest seen at the Festival since 1993.

Fact To File looked something special in the Ryanair this afternoon and, in other news, Frankie Dettori has announced he's filing for bankruptcy...

Malina Girl ran a creditable third on Tuesday but otherwise it has been a miserable, downward spiral for the blog's selections. Only one pick for the final day - and I'm not confident it's going to turn the tide... 

1.20 Triumph Hurdle

No bet for me in a race I'm not particularly fond of. 

Willie Mullins saddles 11 of the 18 runners; Paul Townend rides filly Lady Vega Allen. 

Tom Segal penned a piece in the RP Weekender [29.01-02.02] headlined "Flat-bred East India Dock set to find Triumph beyond him". To summarise, most of the current Flat bred horses aren't bred to stay any further than a mile whereas Jumps bred horses are stronger - and classier. 

Tom believes East India Dock won't be strong (or classy) enough to compete with the likes of Lulamba or a yet-to-be-revealed Mullins marvel.

Last time out East India Dock beat Stencil 10 lengths over the Triumph Hurdle course and distance on Trials Day; Stencil, sent off 11/4 favourite for the Fred Winter on Tuesday, finished down the field in 15th, with the comment 'weakened before the last' noted.

As a slight digression, I see East India Dock had a Flat rating of 89, Mondo Man a Flat rating of 111. 

The issue for the Gary Moore trained Mondo Man is he needs to learn to settle - he patently failed to do so in the Adonis at Kempton three weeks ago. On his previous run, in receipt of 10 pounds, he finished three and a half lengths behind Lulamba, despite having pulled hard in rear; he's in the same ownership as Botox Has and Nassalam.

Back in 2020 the same yard ran Goshen  - Flat rating of 80 at the time - in this race; ten lengths clear coming to the last, he made a mistake and dumped Jamie Moore on the turf. 

Connections fit a hood for the first time tomorrow and Brian Hughes replaces Caoilin Quinn in the saddle. I'll keep an eye out for the partnership during the race - a decent pace should help their cause.

2.00 County Hurdle

Sixteen declared. 

Absurde won this last year off 138 before embarking on a Flat campaign that culminated in a trip to Australia; this year he goes off 146. 

Willie Mullins' charge benefits from a hold-up ride and likes to weave his way through the field at the business end of a race. Last time out he finished fifth in the Melbourne Cup behind Knight's Choice, beaten under two lengths.

Paul Townend rides stablemate Kargese. Last time out this one was beaten at odds of 2/5f in the Warfield Mares' Hurdle run on good ground at Ascot. Since 2010 the Mullins yard has trained the winner of this on seven occasions.

The Skelton yard regularly targets this race and have had plenty of success in recent years with Superb Story (2016); Mohaayed (2018); Ch'tibello (2019) and Faivoir (2023). Valgrand flies the flag this year but he ran no sort of race when last seen behind Ooh Betty at Kempton over Christmas.

Hansard was fourth in that Kempton race and subsequently ran well behind Golden Ace (won the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday!) in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton. The yard is in better form now, operating at a 25% win strike rate over the past fortnight.

Cracking Rhapsody looked good in the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso 13 days ago; connections will pick up a bonus if they win here but Ewan Whillans' charge has tended to show his very best form at Kelso. 

I'm going to have a bet on Our Champ in this because I think he's overpriced at 50/1 provided the ground has dried out sufficiently and the showers stay away. 

Back in October he won the Lavazza Handicap Hurdle run on good ground at Ascot, beating Break My Soul a nose with Secret Squirrel third, Afadil fourth and Fiercely Proud falling when disputing second. 

The yard were going through a lean spell at the time - as they are now - but he got the job done that day despite Freddie Gordon dropping his whip in the final 110 yards. 

Secret Squirrel has subsequently won a competitive handicap at Windsor, Afadil was third in the Imperial Cup at Sandown last Saturday while Fiercely Proud reversed form with the selection in the Ladbrokes at Ascot in December run on good to soft ground.

I bet Our Champ in the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury five weeks ago where soft ground went against him; he finished eighth behind Joyeuse (Secret Squirrel fell at the last, Fiercely Proud pulled up and later found to be suffering from an irregular heartbeat).

He ran without the tongue-tie at Newbury but it's back in place now. He has won on the Old Course here and ran third behind Tintintin on the New Course last April.

In a stable tour article [RP Weekender 26.02-02.03] handler Chris Gordon said:

"He'll go for the County Hurdle and he'll run really well if it dries up."

At the time of writing the going on the New Course is good to soft - the showers will need to stay away before the off.

Our Champ is the each-way suggestion, at the time of writing 50/1 with William Hill and bet365, both paying five places. 

4.00 Cheltenham Gold Cup

Galopin Des Champs will face eight rivals in his bid to win a third successive Gold Cup. 

Henrietta Knight, who trained Best Mate to achieve the feat (2002 -2004), thinks he will win.

Banbridge is no pushover on drying ground while course and distance winner Inothewayurthinkin, supplemented at a cost of £25,000, is 7/1 favourite for the Aintree Grand National.

Inothewayurthinkin and Monty's Star were fourth and fifth respectively behind Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Corbetts Cross didn't appear to have the best prep behind Pic D'Orhy at Ascot last month and wouldn't be suited by drying ground while The Real Whacker and Gentlemansgame were both pulled up in this race last year.

Ahoy Senor has shown his best form at Aintree, Royal Pagaille at Haydock.

At 6/1 Banbridge was an each-way bet to nothing but the price has disappeared; a race to watch and savour then.

Cheltenham Festival 2025 - Thursday

An emotional second day with victories for Marine Nationale in the Champion Chase and Jazzy Matty in the Grand Annual.

Two days in, and there have been some unsatisfactory starts to races - a debate for another day, no doubt.

A couple of suggestions for Thursday...

3.20 Ryanair Chase

A hot looking renewal.

Favourite Fact To File won the Brown Advisory here last year despite jumping right on occasions. 

He beat the current Gold Cup favourite Galopin Des Champs over two miles three and a half in November and has since twice finished behind Galopin Des Champs over an extended three miles at Leopardstown - no disgrace at all - in the Savills Chase over Christmas and in the Irish Gold Cup last month.

I'm guessing connections have reasoned they're not going to beat Galopin Des Champs so they step back in trip here. Connections of last year's winner, Protektorat, followed a similar path after finishing fifth behind the same horse in the 2023 Gold Cup.

Protektorat did the blog a favour in this race last year and this has been his target. 

Things went awry in the Peterborough Chase won by Djelo where hold-up tactics patently failed to work. Allowed to bowl along in front at Windsor next time, Dan Skelton's charge comfortably beat that rival 23 lengths. 

He is seen at his best sitting just off a strong pace which he's likely to get with Il Est Francais in the field.

Il Est Francais went into everyone's notebook when jumping like a stag to make all and win the 2023 renewal of the Kauto Star at Kempton; he might prove difficult to catch on the front end. Since moving to Tom George in 2022 all his racing has been at either Auteuil or Kempton Park.

Henry De Bromhead saddles three; the yard is slowly emerging from a lean spell. 

Jungle Boogie may be 11 years of age but he doesn't have many miles on the clock (just five chase starts to date). Sixth in last year's Gold Cup - mistake three out when travelling well enough - he's another to step back in distance. On his sole start since, he won comfortably at Ascot in December although main rival Iroko (11/8f) was hampered and came a cropper at the first.

Envoi Allen, another 11 year old, won the 2023 renewal of this race and finished second behind Protektorat last year. Rachael Blackmore rides, suggesting this one might be the stable's main hope.

Heart Wood finished seven and a half lengths adrift of Fact To File in the Savills Chase over Christmas.

Master Chewy showed plenty of resolve when beating Libberty Hunter in the Game Spirit at Newbury last time; this represents his first chase start beyond two miles one furlong.

Hang In There likes decent ground but on his first run since November he's likely to have other targets during the spring / summer. 

Only three horses older than nine have won this since the inaugural running in 2005: Fondmort (2006); Our Vic (2008); and Albertas Run (2011). 

I'm staying loyal to Protektorat.

Protektorat is the win selection, generally a 6/1 shot.

4.00 Stayers' Hurdle

Teahupoo won this last year but could prove vulnerable on drying ground. 

Handler Joseph O'Brien had a strong word for Home By The Lee in a TV snippet on Tuesday..

Connections seem confident Lucky Place can stay this trip. He gave weight and a beating to Gowel Road, Golden Ace (won the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday), and Langer Dan on New Year's Day.

Off a mark of 145 The Wallpark gave Gowel Road four pounds and a two and a half length beating in a Pertemps qualifier over course and distance in the autumn. He made up plenty of ground late on in the Long Walk to finish fourth behind Crambo last time; drying ground will suit.

Langer Dan isn't the easiest to predict but he tends to show his best form at this time of year. Second behind a horse called Galopin Des Champs in the 2021 renewal of the Martin Pipe, he won the Coral Cup in 2023 and 2024 and steps up to three miles for the first time.

Dan Skelton said in a stable tour before the start of the core season:

"I do have concerns about how he behaves in the autumn and the winter because historically he hasn't been good. 

"He just gets a lot easier in the spring...

"Unless the first thee runs are absolutely diabolical we want to have a go at the Stayers' Hurdle."

Bob Olinger has twice finished behind Home By The Lee this season.

If Crambo could transfer his Ascot form to Cheltenham (won the last two renewals of the Long Walk Hurdle) he would be no 28/1 shot. Johnny Burke reported he ran flat in this last year when ninth while a bad mistake at the fifth last saw him finish fifth behind Gowel Road in the Cleeve on Trials Day (Monmiral second but declared a non-runner).

Nemean Lion has been in rude health this term, winning at Windsor in January (Langer Dan fifth) and beating Steel Ally a neck in the National Spirit at Fontwell. He steps up to three miles for the first time here, having been withdrawn from the Rendlesham at Haydock last month on account of the ground. 

After the National Spirit connections were reportedly thinking of bypassing this meet but have clearly had a change of heart. At the time Kerry Lee said:

"What a tough little cookie. Neman Lion loves racing and loves a fight.

"I think this gives me three possibilities. We might look at Auteuil, Fairyhouse and then there's of course the option of a Grade 1 at Aintree, whether over two and a half miles or three. He had a hard race so we'll have to see how he is in a couple of weeks." 

The suspicion is this may come too soon after the Fontwell race.

Buddy One was fourth in this race last year, beaten under nine lengths, but he doesn't appear to have taken too well to chasing this term. Last time out, reverting back to hurdles, he was pulled up behind Rocky Diamond in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park.

At 6/1 Home By The Lee looks an each-way bet to nothing against Teahupoo; The Wallpark has been well supported today.

It's inherently risky but I'm going to chance Langer Dan; he appeared to stay three miles when third behind Strong Leader in the Coral Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury in November and this was the stated plan in the autumn. 

Two consecutive wins in the Coral Cup read well; I'll be hoping the horse has engaged 'spring' mode.  

Langer Dan is the each-way suggestion, 12/1 generally, with most layers paying four places. 

I won't have a bet in the prosaically named TrustATrader Plate (4.40) but I've seen a comment somewhere yet have struggled to dig it out... 

Connections think course and distance winner Jagwar is a Graded level performer. If that's the case, he'll need to go close in this handicap off his current mark.

Finally, I note that Aworkinprogress, having missed the cut for the National Hunt Challenge Cup on Tuesday, has missed the cut for the Kim Muir at 5.20 but he holds an entry in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter on Saturday for which he is currently priced up 6/1 favourite.

Cheltenham Festival 2025 - Wednesday

Still recovering from the high drama of the Champion Hurdle earlier this afternoon in which the two previous winners, Constitution Hill and State Man, both fell, the former four from home, the latter at the last when five lengths clear. 

Golden Ace (25/1) won, with Burdett Road (66/1) second and Winter Fog (150/1) third; the trifecta paid £4,432. 90.

1.20 Turners Novices' Hurdle

Writing in the RP Weekender before the Dublin Racing Festival, Tom Segal was of the opinion The New Lion was the most exciting novice seen this season. Then Final Demand beat Wingmen 12 lengths in impressive style at Leopardstown. 

At the time of writing Final Demand and The New Lion share favouritism.

Yellow Clay beat Wingmen 11 lengths at Naas at the beginning of the year. 

In receipt of five pounds Sixmilebridge beat Potters Charm eight and a half lengths on the New Course on Trials Day. After the race Team Twiston-Davies admitted they had run there 'as an afterthought' and regretted doing so.  

Before that defeat Potters Charm had won twice on the Old Course in the autumn and then won the Formby Novices' Hurdle at Aintree on Boxing Day. 

Back on the Old Course, and sporting a first-time tongue-tie, Potters Charm rates an each-way play.

Potters Charm is the each-way suggestion, at the time of writing available at 14/1 with most layers. 

4.00 Champion Chase

Over the years I've had some wagers in this: Pearlyman, Latalomne - going well and fell two out two years on the trot, Special Tiara and, in 2004, Venn Ottery each-way @ 40/1. 

Owner Mr O.J. Carter declared Venn Ottery for the race without telling trainer, Mr P. Nicholls; unfortunately Mr Carter didn't declare the tongue-tie... 

The notes in-running state: "disputed second and going well two out, soon no chance with winner (Azertyuiop), ridden and weakened rapidly run-in."

Venn Ottery eventually finished fifth, beaten 23 lengths, but to this day I still maintain, if he had run with a tongue-tie, as intended...

Favourites have only won three of the past ten renewals but Jonbon has had a season to remember, winning the Schloer, the Tingle Creek and the Clarence House (Energumene second); many will feel he would be a deserved winner.

He was declared a non-runner for last year's renewal on account of the poor form of the Henderson yard at the time; prior to that he hadn't jumped well on the New Course when mugged by Elixir Du Nutz in the re-arranged Clarence House.

Energumene, owned by Tony Bloom, beat Captain Guinness 10 lengths in the 2023 renewal and isn't lightly dismissed, even at the age of 11. 

Mr Bloom also owns the heavily backed Bunting who has his first run in a handicap in the Coral Cup (2.40); given a mark of 135 by the Irish handicapper, he races off 139 in that two mile five contest. 

At Leopardstown over Christmas Solness beat Marine Nationale (third), Captain Guinness (fifth) and Found A Fitfy (pulled up). 

Then at the Dublin Racing Festival Joseph O'Brien's charge beat Marine Nationale (second), Quilixios (fourth) and Captain Guinness (sixth) - that looked a hard enough race on yielding ground and Marine Nationale posed a viable threat after the last.

Found A Fifty gave Solness seven pounds and a neck beating at Navan in November despite jumping right on occasions; that tendency to go right won't help his cause here. 

I'm pleased to see connections of Libberty Hunter have opted for this rather than the Grand Annual in which he was second last year (behind Unanswered Prayers) on just his fourth start over fences. 

Owners Mr & Mrs William Rucker have adopted a patient approach with this one; he doesn't have a lot of miles on the clock for a nine year old. Ideally he wants softer ground but the uphill finish should play to his strengths and I think he can outrun odds of 33/1 - provided he can keep tabs on the early pace. 

The ratings tells us he has something to find with every other runner in this field but I like this horse and will have a bet.

Libberty Hunter is the each-way selection, 33/1 generally. 

4.40 Grand Annual

I'm going to take an interest in Primoz on the back of this comment made by trainer Lucinda Russell at Kelso on 14.02.25:

"Primoz is one of the most talented horses we've dealt with and we've changed his training programme a bit. I don't know where he'll go next but he's a very talented horse if we can get some consistency into him." 

I wrote that just before the yard's Myretown proved a blot on the handicap in the Ultima earlier today.

Primoz is the each-way suggestion, 20/1 in places with layers paying five places.

I'll pass on the Brown Advisory - a final field of seven all trained in Ireland -  and I usually end up feeling a bit dizzy after the Cross Country. My nap for the bumper, Windbeneathmywings, is out injured. That's racing, as they say. 

This evening spare a thought for Paul Townend. Five lengths clear coming to the last and another Champion Hurdle beckons. A long stride, a hurdle clipped, State Man falls, and it all disappears before your very eyes.

Cheltenham Festival 2025 - Tuesday

I'm struggling to recall a run-up to the Festival quite like it.

Greg Wood talks of the Festival at a crossroads in The Guardian while Cheltenham's new chief executive, Guy Lavender, predicts a fall in attendance from last year's figure of 229,999 (over four days).

The Sunday Times' royal editor Roya Nikkhah, in conversation with Nicky Henderson, talks of 'the 70,000-strong crowd expected on the first day'; that figure might prove optimistic.

Layers are reportedly bracing themselves as the following first day accumulator has proved popular with punters: Kopek Des Bordes (Supreme); Majboro (Arkle); Lossiemouth (Mares' Hurdle); and Constitution Hill (Champion Hurdle).

Beware bookmakers crying wolf.

Just two British trained runners contest the Michael O'Sullivan Supreme Novices' Hurdle (1.20), the race this year named in memory of the jockey who won the 2023 renewal aboard Marine Nationale and died from injuries sustained in a fall at Thurles on February 6th.

Tripoli Flyer, trained by Fergal O'Brien, didn't jump particularly well when winning the Dovecote at Kempton 17 days ago but after the race his handler said:

"Tripoli Flyer has got a huge engine. Johnny [Burke] said you can put him where you want in a race, he's got an explosive bit of speed about him.

"I think he's genuinely better going right-handed and he does jump a bit right, but if it's nice ground I think he's earned his chance to go to the Supreme." 

Paul Nicholls saddles Tutti Quanti; on his blog the handler says:

"...on all known form he has a mountain to climb in this Grade 1."

Majboro faces just four opponents in the Arkle (2.00), Constitution Hill six in the Champion Hurdle (4.00). 

In receipt of the mares' allowance Brighterdaysahead looks a threat to the current champion whose speed over the hurdles is a sight to behold; I've no intention of having a bet in the race.  

For those considering a wager in a handicap, Kevin Blake provides a useful analysis of the marks allocated to Irish trained runners, along with a potted history of the trials and tribulations encountered by British and Irish handicappers in recent times.

Two each-way suggestions for Tuesday; the going on the Old Course is described as good to soft.

2.40 Ultima Handicap Chase

Before his last run in the Reynoldstown three and a half weeks ago, The Changing Man had contested a number of competitive handicaps during the season, finishing second in the Rehearsal at Newcastle, second in the Howden Silver Cup at Ascot and second in the Great Yorkshire at Doncaster. 

By comparison, the win in the Reynoldstown had the look of a genteel schooling session with odds-on favourite and main rival Jingko Blue sprawling on landing at the third and unseating Nico De Boinville; the handicapper reacted by raising The Changing Man two pounds. 

Course and distance winner Broadway Boy likes to race from the front and was an excellent second behind The Kandoo Kid in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury late in November, with Victtorino third and Henry's Friend fifth. 

Perhaps that race took more out of him than initially thought as he didn't jump well at the track on New Year's Day. He has been given every chance to recuperate.

Prior to the Ladbrokes Trophy at Kempton I'm sure I heard Sam Thomas describe runaway winner Katate Dori as 'slow'. He looked anything but that day, beating Hyland an eased-down 15 lengths. 

12 pounds higher in the handicap now, he has done a lot of his racing on right-handed tracks.

Both Lucinda Russell trained runners look unexposed. 

Myretown likes to race from the front whereas Whistle Stop Tour gained experience at the track last time when fifth behind Jagwar over a trip shorter than ideal. 

The trainer nominated the latter as her lively outsider of the week in the RP Cheltenham The Ultimate Guide publication.

Victtorino had a hard enough race when beating Threeunderthrufive a nose at Ascot 24 days ago while Henry's Friend meets Broadway Boy on worse terms than in the Coral Gold Cup.

Two under consideration are Malina Girl and Famous Bridge.

Malina Girl has run well here previously and back in December 2023 looked a threat to all when coming to grief three out in a race won by Broadway Boy; she was on a mark of 146 that day and goes off 142 tomorrow. The last Irish trained winner of this was Dun Doire in 2006.

Famous Bridge, fourth in this last year off 139, goes off 142 after scooting away from Apple Away to win the Grand National Trial at Haydock 24 days ago. First-time cheekpieces seemed to bring out improvement last time and they're retained here.

Malina Girl is the each-way suggestion, 14/1 generally, with several layers paying six places. 

5.20 National Hunt Challenge Cup

Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott have both won three renewals in the past ten years; this is the first year the race will be run as a handicap.

Favourite Now Is The Hour beat Don't Rightly Know 17 lengths in the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices' Hurdle at Haydock 12 months ago. On his four subsequent starts - all over fences - he hasn't  got his head in front but he couldn't quite reach the leaders at Navan seven weeks ago. 

Haiti Couleurs beat Transmission two and threequarters length at Cheltenham back in December over an extended three mile one furlong trip; they look closely matched. The fourth that day, Moon D'Orange, beat Grandeur D;Ame a short head in a handicap at the track on Trials Day.

I've just watched a replay of that race in December - Haiti Couleurs showed up prominently and jumped well while Transmission was slightly detached in rear for much of the trip, jumping low and out to his right on occasions. In addition he appeared slow at a couple of fences but the further they went, the more involved he became - the extra half mile here looks sure to suit.

Rebecca Curtis said of Haiti Couleurs [RP Weekender 05-09.02.25]:

"... the National Hunt Chase is the plan. I think it'll be the perfect race for him because I think the further he goes the better he'll be. We probably won't run before the festival to try to keep the mark of 135, although we have the option of a spin over hurdles." [third behind Santos Blue, Newbury, 08.02.25.]

Will Do was second over three miles three furlongs in the Grand National Trial at Punchestown 19 days ago. He looks Gordon Elliott's best chance; Jack Kennedy rides, having returned from injury on March 3rd.

Aworkinprogress has just missed the cut but is four from four over fences, winning at Lingfield last time; he's a horse for next year.

Resplendent Grey didn't jump particularly well behind Jagwar last time but has been the subject of market support.

Herakles Westwood won well at Windsor on his penultimate start (Gericault Roque third, Kyntara pulled up) and then ran flat at Newbury next time - I think he's better than he showed there. The step up in trip is a bit of a step into the unknown.

Gericault Roque has clearly had problems but back in 2022 he finished second in the Classic Chase at Warwick off 133, second in the Ultima behind Corach Rambler off 138 and third behind Le Milos in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury off a mark of 139. His third at Windsor in January was his first run in more than two years.

With Gericault Roque as low as 8/1 at the time of writing, I'm going to chance Herakles Westwood.

Herakles Westwood is the each-way suggestion, 20/1 generally with most layers paying five places.

Cheltenham Festival 2024 - the betting debrief

Shown below a record of the blog's highlighted selections at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival to a nominal one point level stakes wager (1 point win, 0.5 points each way) with bets settled at advised prices and each way returns calculated at one fifth the odds, except in the case of the Champion Chase (3.30 Wednesday) where, to avoid Rule 4 arithmetic, I've settled at starting price / one quarter the odds following the late withdrawals of both Jonbon and Boothill to leave a field of six.  

Tuesday

5.30 NH Challenge Cup Novices' Chase

Selection: Mr Vango

Bet: Each way

Advised price: 22/1

Starting price: 14/1

Result: Third

Return: 2.70

Profit/Loss: +1.70

Profit/Loss Tuesday: +1.70

Wednesday

2.10 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase

Selection: Stay Away Fay

Bet: Win

Advised price: 7/2

Starting price: 6/1

Result: Pulled up

Return: 0.00

Profit/Loss: -1.00

2.50 Coral Cup

Selection: Guard Your Dreams

Bet: Each way

Advised price: 18/1

Starting price: 25/1

Result: Eighteenth

Return: 0.00

Profit/Loss: -1.00

3.30 Champion Chase

Selection: Captain Guinness

Bet: Each way

Advised price: 11/1 (before two withdrawals)

Starting price: 17/2

Result: Win

Return: 6.31

Profit/Loss: +5.31

Profit/Loss Wednesday: +3.31

Thursday

1.30 Turners Novices' Chase

Selection: Grey Dawning

Bet: Win

Advised price: 9/4

Starting price: 5/2

Result: Win

Return: 3.25

Profit/Loss: +2.25

2.10 Pertemps Final

Selection: Springwell Bay

Bet: Each way

Advised price: 14/1

Result: Non runner

Profit/Loss: 0.00

2.50 Ryanair Chase

Selection: Protektorat

Bet: Each way

Advised price: 9/1

Starting price: 17/2

Result: Win

Return: 6.40

Profit/Loss: +5.40

3.30 Stayers' Hurdle

Selection: Sire Du Berlais

Bet: Each way

Advised price: 14/1

Starting price: 14/1

Result: Fifth

Return: 0.00

Profit/Loss: -1.00

Profit/Loss Thursday: +6.65

Friday

3.30 Cheltenham Gold Cup

Selection: L'Homme Presse

Bet: Each way

Advised price: 10/1

Starting price: 16/1

Result: Fourth

Return: 1.50

Profit/Loss +0.50

Profit/Loss Friday: +0.50

Outlay over four days: 8 points

Profit/Loss over four days: +12.16 points

Profit/Loss expressed as percentage of outlay: 152%

A quick word of caution to the wise.

In no way are these figures indicative of the season's performance prior to this meet; in addition, the profit realised in the Champion Chase owed much to the misfortune of 2/9 favourite El Fabiolo at the fifth fence. Normal service will be resumed in due course.

Cheltenham Festival 2024 - Friday

The going on the New Course is currently described as soft, with intermittent rain forecast through the evening and tomorrow morning.

3.30 Cheltenham Gold Cup

On March 12th 1924 Red Splash, trained by Fred Withington and ridden by Dick Rees, won the first running of the Cheltenham Gold Cup as a steeplechase.

100 years on they bet 10/1 bar two for the 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Last year Galopin Des Champs beat Bravemansgame seven lengths; this year's race looks a stronger renewal.

Galopin Des Champs has won eight of his 11 starts over fences. 

He fell at the last when 12 lengths clear in the 2022 Turners Novices' Chase and has been beaten twice by Fastorslow at Punchestown; Willie Mullins' charge gained his revenge over that rival six weeks ago in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

On official handicap ratings Galopin has a minimum of nine pounds in hand over all his rivals.

On two trips to Cheltenham to date, Fastorslow has been beaten a short head by Commander Of Fleet in the 2022 Coral Cup and, conceding four pounds, a neck by Corach Rambler in last year's Ultima.

Martin Brassil's charge underwent wind surgery immediately after that latest defeat at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Beaten a short head by The Real Whacker in last year's Brown Advisory, Gerri Colombe won the Mildmay at Aintree and just pipped Envoi Allen in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal before holding Capodanno a head for second place in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, the pair some 23 lengths behind Galopin Des Champs.

It's difficult to see Bravemansgame reversing the form of last year's race.

This term a mistake at the last handed the initiative to Gentlemansgame in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby and Paul Nicholls' inmate was beaten by Haydock specialist Royale Pagaille in the Betfair Chase. 

He finished second behind Hewick in the King George but both would probably have finished behind Shishkin if Nicky Henderson's charge hadn't stumbled and unseated Nico De Boinville just after the penultimate flight.

Earlier this afternoon trainer John 'Shark' Hanlon withdrew Hewick, a 33/1 chance for next month's Grand National, on account of soft ground.

Last year's National winner Corach Rambler is currently quoted 12/1 joint favourite for the Aintree showpiece. 

Following a subdued introduction at Kelso in October, Lucinda Russell's charge finished third behind Royal Pagaille and Bravemansgame in the Betfair Chase at Haydock; you suspect it was at that point connections started to ruminate over a plan to come here. 

The last ten-year-old to win a Gold Cup was Cool Dawn in 1998.

L'Homme Presse won the 2022 Brown Advisory and the following November carried top weight to victory in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle. Next time he fell in the King George won by Bravemansgame and was subsequently off the track for 13 months. 

On reappearance this January he beat Protektorat (won the Ryanair Chase earlier today) in the Fleur De Lys Chase at Lingfield and finished a creditable third behind Pic D'Orhy at Ascot four weeks ago - after the race beaten connections were particularly upbeat about that effort with this race as the target.

In 2020 Monkfish won the Albert Bartlett and the following year he won the Brown Advisory. 

He has obviously had his problems since. Seven weeks ago he beat 2018 Supreme winner Summerville Boy in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park; many pundits thought he was going to turn up in the Stayers' Hurdle but no, here he is, in a Gold Cup. 

It's a bold move by connections which would indicate they feel their charge is in rude health.

The Real Whacker won his three chase starts at the track last year - including the Brown Advisory - but  hasn't won in three starts this term. 

I bet Patrick Neville's charge in the Cotswold Chase seven weeks ago - and had to go to inordinate lengths to eventually claim the £5 free bet which the advertisement in the bookmaker's shop window indicated I was entitled to.

I have to say I'd expected more from The Real Whacker that day. 

Leading, he jumped right on occasions and lost his pitch two out before rallying to claim second spot ahead of Stay Away Fay (pulled up in the Brown Advisory yesterday). He wears a visor for the first time.

Nassalam has appeared a different horse for the fitting of blinkers. 

He finished 34 lengths behind Corach Rambler in the Ultima last year but has since won twice at Chepstow after the aids were applied; last time he won the Welsh National by an astonishing 34 lengths and is quoted 33/1 for the Grand National. 

The percentage call is he needs heavy ground to be seen at his best.

With just five starts under rules to his name Jungle Boogie has clearly had his problems.

Galopin Des Champs is the one to beat; to date Fastorslow is the only horse to have done so over fences.

L'Homme Presse is suited by soft ground but tries this extended three and a quarter mile trip for the first time; if he sees the trip out, he holds an each-way chance.

Selection: L'Homme Presse each-way, at the time of writing 10/1 with Paddy Power paying four places.  

Cheltenham Festival 2024 - Thursday

Earlier this afternoon Willie Mullins became the first trainer to send out 100 winners at the Cheltenham Festival when his son Patrick rode 9/2 chance Jasmin De Vaux to victory in the concluding bumper.

The going is currently described as soft, heavy in places, with further rain forecast from 1.00 tomorrow afternoon.

1.30 Turners Novices' Chase

Facile Vega didn't jump particularly well when third behind Il Etait Temps and Found A Fifty at the Dublin Racing Festival; he tries this trip for the first time.

There wouldn't be much between Grey Dawning and Ginny's Destiny. 

Back in December, in receipt of three pounds, Ginny's Destiny beat Grey Dawning threequarters of a length. That doesn't necessarily tell the whole tale as Grey Dawning made a howler two out and did well to finish as close as he did in the circumstances.  

Stepped up to three miles next time, Grey Dawning won the Hampton Novices' Chase at Warwick in something approaching a common canter. Connections have taken this option rather than the Brown Advisory on account of the soft ground. 

Iroko won the Martin Pipe last year and is a fine prospect; however he has just one chase start to his name. 

Six-year-olds have won two of the last ten renewals (Vautour in 2015 and Defi Du Seuill in 2019); no horse older than eight has come home in front in the same timeframe.

The price doesn't make too much appeal but Grey Dawning is my idea of the winner.

Selection: Grey Dawning win, 9/4 at the time of writing.

2.10 Pertemps Final

I'm a fan of Cuthbert Dibble (and the Trumpton fire brigade for that matter) but he looked to have a hard enough race when 'all out' to beat Lord Snootie (of 'The Beano' fame) at Haydock three and a half weeks ago. 

The handicapper raised him six pounds for that win and, with Sam Twiston-Davies replacing five pound claimer Finn Lambert in the plate, he's effectively 11 pounds higher here. 

At the prices stablemate Gowel Road is perhaps of more interest; his fourth behind the ill-fated Slate Lane with Fine Margin second and Crambo (5/1 second favourite for the Stayers' Hurdle at 3.30) third reads well. Looking through his profile there's a suggestion he can find himself outpaced at the business end of a race - even on heavy ground - before staying on again.

Course and distance winner White Rhino - stablemate of Iroko in the first - has been well touted on the preview circuit.   

With a chase rating of 150, the 2022 Coral Gold Cup winner Le Milos could be thrown in on 142;  the horse has had a number of issues this season but handler Dan Skelton issued an upbeat bulletin earlier. 

The yard has hit form in no uncertain terms today. 

Langer Dan won the Coral Cup with something to spare and a couple of hours later Unexpected Party won the Grand Annual; at the time of writing Le Milos is 6/1 favourite.

Rated 155 over fences, Chantry House is another chaser well in off 143 but he wouldn't be one to trust implicitly.

Gordon Elliott boasts a good record in this race - Jack Kennedy rides Cleatus Poolaw - and Ted Walsh's sole runner, Gaoth Chuil, catches the eye.    

Springwell Bay is one I like. 

He won with a bit in hand on seasonal debut, a fact that didn't escape the attention of the handicapper.

Last time over three miles at Musselburgh he was was pipped a neck by Curley Finger (Hector Javilex third, Noble Birth ninth) and the handicapper reacted by giving him another two pounds for his trouble. He has his share of weight, granted, but he has won at the track previously and rates an each-way wager.

Selection: Springwell Bay each-way, 14/1 with Sky who pay eight places.

2.50 Ryanair Chase

Envoi Allen beat Shishkin in this race last year and goes for a double previously completed by Allaho (2021/22) and Albertas Run (2010/11); Albertas Run is the last ten-year-old to win this race. 

Stage Star won the Turners last year and the Paddy Power Gold Cup on seasonal debut in the autumn but was pulled up in a handicap chase over course and distance on New Year's Day - Paul Nicholls reported the gelding stiff after that race.

Banbridge would have been the pick on better ground. 

Under a classic Paul Townend hold up ride, Capodanno breezed through the field to win the Cotswold Chase from The Real Whacker, with Stay Away Fay third and Ahoy Senor fourth. Apart from winning a Clonmel maiden over two miles in 2021, all Capodanno's winning form is at three miles plus.

Gold Cup defector Ahoy Senor looked a tad unlucky in that race as Lucinda Russell's charge appeared to be travelling well when Stephen Mulqueen's right stirrup leather broke four out. He has since finished third behind Pic D'Orhy and L'Homme Presse in the Betfair Ascot Chase.

Connections have chosen to run here rather than in the Gold Cup, as assistant trainer Peter Scudamore explains:

"It was a difficult decision...but the belief is he's got another year in him when he could go for the Gold Cup. I felt his run last year impacted how he ran at Aintree after, when he'd had a hard season.

"He's got a good chance in the Ryanair and Derek [Fox] would like it if he ran in it. His owners very sportingly gave our blessing to do so."   

I'm going to chance another Gold Cup defector, Protektorat. 

Having finished third behind A Plus Tard in the 2022 Gold Cup and fifth behind Galopin Des Champs in last year's renewal, it's clear connections think their charge doesn't quite get up the hill. He tends to race quite keenly; last time he led from the front in the Denman Chase at Newbury where he finished third behind Shishkin and Hitman. 

I'm hoping this step back in trip will help his cause.

Selection: Protektorat each-way, 9/1 with bet365 paying four places.

3.30 Stayers' Hurdle

Some old friends make an appearance here.

I tipped Teahupoo for last year's renewal but he was held by Dashel Drasher on the run to the line when Sire Du Berlais went past them both to win at odds of 33/1, with Flooring Porter fourth.

Flooring Porter has done the blog a favour twice in recent times, winning this event at 12/1 in 2021 and at 4/1 in 2022. He tends to race from the front, although he's maybe not quite as headstrong as he once was in his younger days. (Ditto.) 

Gavin Cromwell's charge has contested three novice chases this term (beat Broadway Boy at this track in the autumn) but it looks as though this has been the target since Christmas.

Crambo heads the British challenge. 

He beat Paisley Park a short head on good ground in the Long Walk at Ascot in December (Dashel Drasher third). This will probably represent his first try at this trip on ground this deep.

Paisley Park beat Sam Spinner in this race in 2019. 

This term the twelve-year-old has been beaten a short-head by Dashel Drasher; a short-head by Crambo; and a head by Noble Yeats. Connections will feel they're due a change of luck.

We've learned to expect the unexpected from Emmet Mullins. 

This year Grand National winner Noble Yeats has been campaigned over hurdles; he's currently quoted at 16/1 for the Aintree showpiece in April. 

Last time in the Cleeve he appeared outpaced on the home turn before fighting back to just hold Paisley Park on the line. Connections have opted to fit cheekpieces.

This has been the target all season for Teahupoo who comes into the race a fresh horse; he looks the one to beat. Sir Gerhard has never won at this trip and Tom Segal likes Home By The Lee but at the prices I'll take an each-way interest in one of the old brigade.

Selection: Sire Du Berlais each-way, currently 14/1 with Coral who pay four places. 

Cheltenham Festival 2024 - Wednesday

The going is currently described as heavy, soft in places, with a dry day forecast tomorrow.

Ballyburn beat Slade Steel, winner of the Supreme earlier today, seven lengths at the Dublin Racing Festival and is long odds on to win the opening Gallagher Novices' Hurdle (1.30). 

2.10 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase 

Odds on favourite Fact Or File has yet to race beyond two miles five and a half furlongs under rules although he won a point over three miles on soft ground at Belharbour two years ago, beating Asian Master (excellent 16/1 fourth in the Supreme earlier today) six lengths. He has shown a tendency to jump right on occasions.

Stay Away Fay won last year's Albert Bartlett (Monty's Star pulled up) and has won two of his three starts over fences this term, conceding three pounds and beating Giovinco one and a half lengths on his penultimate start at Sandown.

Facing more experienced rivals in the Cotswold Chase six weeks ago, he lost second spot on the run up the hill which remains a slight concern; however the Cotswold Chase is run over a furlong further on the new course, generally considered to be a stiffer test of stamina. 

Monty's Star, a sound jumper who will appreciate underfoot conditions, is given every respect but on ratings Henry De Bromhead's charge has 12 pounds to find with the market leaders, as does American Mike who appeared to improve on his first try over three miles at Navan last time.

Paul Nicholls has described Stay Away Fay as one of his best chances of the week.

Selection: Stay Away Fay win, 7/2 with a number of layers this evening.

2.50 Coral Cup

The usual minefield. 

Favourite Sa Majeste has his first run in a handicap off 140; he won over two and a half miles on heavy ground at Limerick last time.

Nicky Henderson saddles three - Doddiethegreat, Lucky Place and First Street - but the stable is clearly under a cloud with five of the yard's six runners pulled up today - Luccia the only one to run her race when finishing third behind Lossiemouth in the Mares' Hurdle.

Doddiethegreat has won over this trip previously and was well touted on the preview circuit after finishing fourth behind stablemate Iberico Lord in the Betfair Hurdle just over four weeks ago.

First Street was eleventh behind Faivoir in the County last year off a mark of 152, beaten nine lengths. He goes off 143 here and has form behind Rubaud, Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth this term. He underwent wind surgery at the end of January but would ideally prefer better ground.

Might I was fourth behind Iroko in the Martin Pipe last year off a mark three pounds higher. He hasn't really taken to chasing this term; it looks as though this has been the target since Christmas and he'll handle underfoot conditions.

Guard Your Dreams, seventh in this race three years ago off 135, has clearly had problems. 

Returning after 660 days off the track he finished behind Lossiemouth and First Street in the International Hurdle and Nemean Lion in the Kingwell at Wincanton.

Rated 147 at his peak, Nigel Twiston-Davies' charge looks feasibly handicapped on 137 and should act on the ground.

Selection: Guard Your Dreams 18/1 each-way, with Sky paying eight places. 

3.30 Champion Chase

Unbeaten over fences in six starts El Fabiolo beat Jonbon five and a half lengths in the Arkle last year; his jumping isn't always foot perfect. This rematch has been anticipated throughout the season.

Jonbon has five pounds to find on ratings and, as highlighted above, the form of the yard is a concern. 

Jonbon didn't jump well at all last time when beaten a neck by Elixir De Nutz; at ten years of age Joe Tizzard's grey is in the form of his life.

Edwardstone won the 2022 renewal of the Arkle but was a major disappointment in this race last year and has finished behind Jonbon twice this term. Connections tried a step up to two and a half miles at Kempton in January but that experiment was classed a failure. 

Last time out he made all to win the Game Spirit at Newbury; in a recent preview programme, Nico De Boinville appeared to suggest, rather mischievously, that similar tactics would help his cause...

Captain Guinness, second behind Energumene in this race last year, finished behind Jonbon in the Celebration Chase at Sandown last April and behind El Fabiolo at the Dublin Racing Festival five weeks ago; he holds place prospects once again.  

Selection: Captain Guinness each-way, 11/1 with Paddy Power at the time of writing.

Finally, it's a long time since I've been brave enough to have a bet in the bumper and I'm not about to change my mind now but two things caught my eye.

Firstly, Jane Chapple-Hyam, more accustomed to having runners on the Flat, saddles four-year-old grey Stavvy here.

Secondly, a shout out for Union Avenue who could outrun odds of 100/1. 

Trained by James Moffatt at Cartmel in Cumbria, this one finished three and a quarter lengths fourth behind Royal Infantry in a listed bumper at Newbury four and a half weeks ago. 

Described by his trainer as 'a serious horse', he's a work in progress and should make up into a smart novice hurdler next season.

Cheltenham Festival 2024 - Tuesday

Generally, over the years, I haven't struck too many wagers on the first day of a Festival meeting but, for the first time in a long time, I've really struggled to winkle out a wager that makes much appeal.

The Champion Hurdle (3.30) is of little interest for betting purposes, Irish novices look some way ahead of their British counterparts in the Supreme (1.30) - rain hasn't helped the chance of Ben Pauling's charge Tellherthename - while anything can win the Arkle (2.50), and if there's value left in the Ultima (2.50), I haven't been able to spot it..

They say one of the the biggest weapons in a punter's armoury is deciding when to play - for my only bet of the opening day I've gone for a bit of a punt in the finale.

5.30 Maureen Mullins National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Novices' Chase.

Seven declared, with the going described as soft after 11mm of rain fell over the weekend.

Greg Wood of the Guardian predicts 'another almighty beating' for British jumping at this year's Festival - 'It is only the scale of the embarrassment that has yet to be decided' - and the three Irish trained horses in this field dominate the market; Embassy Gardens is the one to beat on Racing Post ratings.

About this time last year Corbetts Cross was in the process of giving Stay Away Fay a run for his money in the Albert Bartlett before jinking right and running out at the last (Embassy Gardens pulled up before the last after running too freely). 

In four chase starts this term Emmet Mullins' charge has looked novicey at his obstacles on occasions but he'll benefit from the assistance of top amateur Mr Derek O'Connor. 

At Fairyhouse five weeks ago Corbetts Cross jumped out to his left left, Run Wild Fred to his right and a mid-air collision ensued, with both coming to grief three from home.

Both Corbetts Cross and Embassy Gardens wear a first-time hood; Willie Mullins' charge has looked the more assured jumper of the pair on his two starts over fences.

Salvador Ziggy, second in the Pertemps Final last year and second in the Kerry National on his penultimate start, hasn't been seen since finishing seventh of eight runners at Far Hills, New Jersey in the autumn; he would probably prefer better ground.

Between them, Mullins and Elliott have won six of the past ten renewals of this race, three victories apiece.  

The mare Apple Away comes into this on the back of two tough races in the Hampton Novices' Chase at Warwick (won by Grey Dawning) and the Reynoldstown at Ascot in which Henry's Friend held Kilbeg King a head.

Kilbeg King, still to win a chase, was beaten just under 15 lengths by the impressive Il Etait Francais in the Kauto Star at Kempton on Boxing Day; Anthony Honeyball's charge clearly has an engine but he made a number of niggly errors at Ascot and was ultimately undone by one at the last.

On just his second chase start front-runner Mr Vango made all and ran his rivals ragged on heavy ground in the Devon National at Exeter 18 days ago, beating Foxboro 60 lengths; he's the only one in this field to have won at this distance. 

He jumped neatly in the main but took a mighty chunk out of the third last and certainly won't be able to take similar liberties here; in addition 18 days' recovery time is far from ideal for a staying chaser. 

That said, he beat Inis Oirr a neck in a Haydock maiden in 2022 - that one won the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh last month and is currently priced up 7/1 favourite for the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter on Saturday.

He needs to find more in this; connections have opted to fit cheekpieces for the first time.

With Betfred, Coral, Sky and bet365 paying three places, the outsider in the field Mr Vango represents an each-way play at around 20/1.

Mr Vango is the each-way suggestion, currently priced 22/1 with Coral.

Footnote:

Trainer Sara Bradstock has taken over the licence following the death of husband Mark earlier this month after a long illness; there won't be a dry eye in the house should Mr Vango come home in front.  

Cheltenham Festival 2024 - the calm before the storm...

An uninterrupted preparation is preferable for any Cheltenham Festival engagement; unfortunately I've suffered the exact opposite this year - an interrupted preparation. Inchoate thoughts outlined below.

Tuesday 

1.30 Supreme Novices' Hurdle

Ballyburn, considered by many to be the best novice seen this season, heads to the Gallagher Novices' Hurdle (1.30 Wednesday).

At the time of writing only three British trained entries remain in the field: Jeriko Du Reponet (136); Tellherthename (135); and Favour And Fortune (138).

Both Tellherthename and Favour And Fortune would appreciate better ground; if the forecast rain arrives on Sunday, that would have to be considered a negative. Favour And Fortune holds an entry in County Hurdle (2.10 Friday).   

Ben Pauling happens to have a number of talented novices in his yard this year including Handstands (136); The Jukebox Man (135); Personal Ambition (131); Fiercely Proud (130); Champagne Twist (124) - will be better with a summer on his back; and Pic Roc (123).

After Tellherthename's win at Huntingdon in January, the handler said:

"The ground there [at Huntingdon] was was soft enough and it is not the good to soft they advertised, but Tellherthename has handled it very well. He is an unbelievably class horse. That now gives him his fourth run so he has got the option of the Betfair Hurdle but the ground would have to be spot on for that otherwise we go straight to the Supreme with him. I think he is a class horse with gears galore and I sometimes think they are best fresh. They go such a gallop in that race (Supreme) and if you are anything but absolutely ready for the day then you might get flat footed."  

The undeniable dominance of Irish trained novices in recent years is daunting; their numerical advantage here tempers enthusiasm but Tellherthename is still of interest at around the 16/1 mark.

2.10 Arkle Novices' Chase

Marine Nationale misses the race after a setback.

I've spent a little time looking at the jumping of the Irish horses at the head of the market. 

Both Gaelic Warrior and Found A Fifty have shown a tendency to go right. The former was well beaten behind Fact Or File when unseating Paul Townend last time. 

Hunters Yarn has two runs over fences to his name, both at Fairyhouse, a right-handed track; the gelding fell at the last on his first start and made a bad mistake two out next time.

Wearing a first-time tongue-tie, the grey Il Etait Temps showed plenty of resolve and determination to get up to beat Found A Fifty a neck with Facile Vega third in the Irish Arkle at the Dublin Racing Festival last month.

Quilixios jumped right on his first run over fences at Limerick but jumped well at Naas in January. 

The two Irish entries of interest are Il Etait Temps and the 2021 Triumph Hurdle winner Quilixios.

JPR One has been considered, given he generally jumps and travels well in a race. 

The consensus opinion was he was unfortunate to unseat Brendan Powell in the Arkle Trial over course and distance in November. 

I've seen one pundit claim that is the only mistake the gelding has made in his races to date but I disagree - he made a bad error at the penultimate flight when finishing third behind Le Patron in the Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown in December, an error that cost him his winning chance. 

All of which led me to just question his jumping in the white heat of battle. 

With previous Arkle winners achieving a hurdle rating of 150 and upwards - and JPR One recording just 130 - I've decided to leave the race well alone.

3.30 Champion Hurdle

With Constitution Hill unable to defend his title, Iberico Lord has been supplemented at a cost £18,000. 

The form of the Henderson stable remains a concern. Crazierthandaisy has been declared for the listed British Stallions Studs EBF Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race at Sandown tomorrow, the yard's first runner for seven days.

The absence of Constitution Hill has certainly opened the race up but Lossiemouth is still likely to take her chance in the Mares' Hurdle (4.10). 

Course and distance winner Pied Piper (16/1) is considered; he was beaten a head by the fast-finishing Faivoir in the County Hurdle last year. Bred by Queen Elizabeth II, the gelding changed hands for 570,000 euros at the dispersal sale of Andrew and Gemma Brown's horses last month.

Wednesday

2.10 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase

Favourite Fact Or File has yet to win over this distance under rules although he won a three mile point at Belharbour two years ago. On his first run over fences he was beaten by American Mike over two and a half miles.

Broadway Boy, behind Grey Dawning at Warwick last time, has a good record around Cheltenham. Assistant trainer Willy Twiston-Davies recently said:

"Broadway Boy worked exceptionally well last week. He had a quiet week after he ran at Warwick in January, when he wasn't right, but he hasn't missed a beat since. He did his last piece of work this morning and it was as good as I've felt from him all season. He's fresh and has a glint in his eye and his coat looks fantastic. All the signs lead to a big run.

"Fact To File looks a fantastic horse, but he beat Gaelic Warrior last time who was going left-handed and unseated, which is not exactly a formline you'd want to trust."

Stay Away Fay won the Albert Bartlett last year and started this term beating The Changing Man and Grey Dawning over three miles at Exeter.  

Last time his finishing effort appeared to flatten out against more experienced rivals in the Cotswold Chase and he lost second spot to The Real Whacker on the run up the hill; he may have lacked a little fine-tuning with this race the ultimate target. 

Grey Dawning appeared to have improved at Warwick last time beating Apple Away 14 lengths, Broadway Boy 32 lengths and The Changing Man 50 lengths.

I'm leaning towards Grey Dawning who did well to finish second behind Ginny's Destiny at the track in December after a bad mistake two out. Dan Skelton has indicated the grey will run in the Turners Novices' Chase (1.30 Thursday) if the ground remains soft.

Thursday

2.50 Ryanair Chase 

The Ryanair is shaping up. Bambridge, last year's winner Envoi Allen ("in mighty form"), Turners winner Stage Star, Protektorat, and Ahoy Senor are all declared. Ga Law has been supplemented at a cost of £18,000.

Of the decision to run Ahoy Senor in this, assistant trainer Peter Scudamore said:

"It was a difficult decision...but the belief is he's got another year in him when he could go for the Gold Cup. I felt his run last year impacted how he ran at Aintree after, when he'd had a hard season.

"He's got a good chance in the Ryanair and Derek [Fox] would like it if he ran in it. His owners very sportingly gave our blessing to do so."   

Protektorat is of interest at around 12/1, particularly if the going remains on the soft side.

3.30 Stayers' Hurdle

There are strong(ish) vibes for Monkfish. 

Does Willie Mullins have him back to his best?  If the gelding runs in the Stayers' Hurdle (3.30) he'll certainly be worth a second look at 14/1. The ten-year-old also holds an entry in the Gold Cup. 

Friday

3.30 Gold Cup

A strong renewal, the highlight of the week. 

On Racing Post ratings last year's winner Galopin Des Champs has six pounds in hand of nearest rival Shishkin.

Current interest centres around L'Homme Presse (14/1) on soft ground; Hewick (20/1) on better ground; and Corach Rambler (22/1).

Festival handicaps

Kevin Blake's blog post provides an analysis of Irish trained entries in this year's handicap races, together with a potted history of the trials and tribulations endured by both British and Irish handicappers in recent times.

Irish entries slated to run off their current Irish mark include Batman Girac 133 (Boodles); King Of Kingsfield 140 (County); Magic Tricks 145 (Coral Cup / County / Martin Pipe); and Anna Bunina 140 (Coral Cup / Pertemps Final).

Irish runners allocated just one pound above their Irish mark include Risk Belle 136+1 (County) and Bialystok 138+1 (County).  

Other entries of note:

Absurde - won the Ebor handicap at York last August off a rating of 104; he is now rated 110 on the Flat. If he goes to post in the County on Friday he will have his first run in a handicap hurdle off 138.

Absurde's stablemate Sa Majeste has been given a mark of 140 for his first run in a handicap; he holds entries in the Coral Cup and Martin Pipe.

So Scottish - 130 over hurdles in Ireland; rated 133 for the County but has an Irish chase rating of 137.

Milan Tino - rated 136 in France but allocated just 126 in the Boodles.

Kevin Blake concludes:

"It is too early to suggest that peace in our times might well be a possibility in the contentious world of cross-border handicapping, but we seem to be moving towards a more harmonious future."  

As always, I'll aim to post selections for each of the four days. 

The tension is starting to build...